2012-2013 Prediction Thread

[UAZip0510]

Here goes:

MVP - Alex Abreu: I think he was the MVP last year and will only get better this season, especially considering he'll be at 100% health. Abreu is a fearless leader that brings a certain confidence to the floor. The Zips became his team last year in the 2nd half of the season, and he'll become the clear-cut team leader this season.

Most Improved Player - Chauncey Gilliam: Gilliam showed flashes of fulfilling his potential last year yet lacked consistency from game-to-game. I think he'll take advantage of Diggs' absence and become a key cog on both ends of the floor.

Biggest Disappointment - Zeke Marshall: Before I get jumped for this one, let me explain. I think Zeke will be 1st team All-MAC. I think he'll have an excellent season. I just don't see him having the dominating year we all hoped he would last year and are hoping he'll have again this coming year. Zeke is what he is - an elite shot blocker who can score a bit around the rim but will struggle when opposing bigs play him physically.

Zips MAC Tournament Seed - #1: I think the Zips are most consistent in MAC play than the Bobcats (who I expect to be the #2 seed).

Zips Season Result - Regular Season MAC Champions, MAC Tournament Champions, and FINALLY winners of an NCAA Tournament game

Bold MAC Prediction - D.J. Cooper and Jim Christian clash in Athens, causing team chemistry to suffer.

[Derrt]

I wouldn't even predict disappointments. I expect the team to make it to THE TOURNAMENT.

[Quickzips]

I'll bite:

MVP: Alex Abreu - Hard to disagree with the choice here. Alex is the straw that stirs the drink for the Zips, and he has improved every year.

Most Improved Player: Demetrius Treadwell - The minutes are there at PF for Tree and Harney. Based on the end of the year last year I think Tree is most poised to take advantage. I could well see him flirting with double-double averages throughout the season.

Biggest Disappointment: Nick Harney - I hope I'm wrong, but I've never been a fan of Harney's body language, and I think his attitude is going to get the better of him in a season where opportunity is there for him to step up. He will have some big games, but they may be few and far between at times.

MAC Tournament Seed - #1. Unless some bizaree scenarios start to play out the top two spots this year will be Akron and OU. I think the Bobcats will struggle at times this year under a new coach with all of the old coach's players giving the Zips the #1 seed in the tournament for the second straight year.

Final Result - Zips advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. I don't know if they get there as the MAC Tourney champs or as an at-large, but I think they will get there and when they do they will do some damage. This could well be the year that KD's squad breaks the 30 win mark.

Bold MAC prediction: Can't State finishes under .500 for the first time in who knows how long.

[Zipmeister]

Zips will lose three games that they shouldn't.

Each will be the referee's fault.

[ZachTheZip]

Zips will lose three games that they shouldn't.

Each will be the referee's fault.

I doubt we'll only have three games where Bo Boroski is officiating.

[akzipper]

We will play to the level of our competition for the most part. Probably have a few blow out wins and losses tossed in, but not too many. Season will be decided during the MAC tournament, like it usually is. OOC record, of the games know at least, will be 7-5. Most likely 7-7 based on the teams we'll potentially play in the PR tournament.

[GoZips]

Very interesting. Bold predictions by folks who have yet to attend a single Zips practice.

Based on actual observations I would have to disagree with most of the "predictions".

This is going to be the best Akron team most of us will have watched in our lifetimes.

Several of the newcomers will play important roles in determining the Zips fate.

note: I wrote important roles.

Get a real look at the future Wednesday, October 31, at 7:30 PM when the Zips host

Tiffin in the first of two preseason games.

When you attend the Tiffin game be sure to see me on the "track" near the ticket

check lady for your coaches vs. cancer wrist bands. They are only three bucks

or two for five dollars. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

This is your chance to meet GoZips in person. You will recognize me by the

"think BIGGER" Zips tee shirt. "think BIGGER" is the theme for this seasons men's

basketball Zips.

[akzipper]

Very interesting. Bold predictions by folks who have yet to attend a single Zips practice.

Based on actual observations I would have to disagree with most of the "predictions".

This is going to be the best Akron team most of us will have watched in our lifetimes.

Several of the newcomers will play important roles in determining the Zips fate.

note: I wrote important roles.

Get a real look at the future Wednesday, October 31, at 7:30 PM when the Zips host

Tiffin in the first of two preseason games.

When you attend the Tiffin game be sure to see me on the "track" near the ticket

check lady for your coaches vs. cancer wrist bands. They are only three bucks

or two for five dollars. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

This is your chance to meet GoZips in person. You will recognize me by the

"think BIGGER" Zips tee shirt. "think BIGGER" is the theme for this seasons men's

basketball Zips.

This is said before every year, and every year we end up with basically the same results as the year before or worse.

I don't mean this as an insult, but the fans who watch practices always tend to act like they know more than anyone else. Does it really mean my input doesn't matter, because I haven't watched them practice? I never watched the Zips football team practice, and I said they would be terrible. They are currently 1-7. Most teams look good in practice, because you have no real opponent to judge them against.

I've watched the Zips for all of the KD era, and I know what to expect when entering each season. Every year we get new players, every year we're supposed to be better. I've heard it all before!

[Hilltopper]

This is said before every year, and every year we end up with basically the same results as the year before or worse.

I don't mean this as an insult, but the fans who watch practices always tend to act like they know more than anyone else. Does it really mean my input doesn't matter, because I haven't watched them practice? I never watched the Zips football team practice, and I said they would be terrible. They are currently 1-7. Most teams look good in practice, because you have no real opponent to judge them against.

I've watched the Zips for all of the KD era, and I know what to expect when entering each season. Every year we get new players, every year we're supposed to be better. I've heard it all before!

Why do you even bother?

[lumberjack]

Why do you even bother?

I understand everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion but I choose to remain optimistic. I have watched mostly all practices and I have to say:

First, this team is more than a regular mid major team. This team has size and skill much like a major program. This team is very physically strong, fast, full of energy and very deep in every position. What impressed me was the intensity everyone has during practice sessions. This team unlike others can shoot the ball well almost form every position and defense that is very aggressive.

Secondly unlike last year I see this team working on the small things that kept them out of the NCAA post season. The team actually is concentrating more on team versus individual. These guys are actually sharing the ball and making the obvious play instead of focusing on the tough impossible selfish play. I also see a change in team chemistry that can't be gauged in practice. This team has spent a lot of time together which has allowed them to get to know each other better instead of operating in clicks as in years past. They actually like each other and almost like a bunch of brothers motivating and supporting each other. While at the same time working everyday to take each others spot.

Thirdly making a prediction I will leave that alone. However, I do believe you will see a very impressive and long overdo showing from Chauncey Gilliam who demonstrated some of his talents in the NIT last year. I believe also that you will see some major strength from the wing players that has never been done before. I also believe that the size is going to be a major factor that will give the average MAC and OOC teams trouble.

Fourthly, I feel the lost to Ohio last year will motivate this team and make them realize that game was not lost by the hands of the opponent but more like Akron beating themselves with major game changing turnovers down the stretch especially at the point position. I had a chance to analyze this game over and over and believe the team will raised up in maturity to cut down on gut wrenching turnovers and capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents. I will predict that if the team find it's Chemical component and utilize on it's size and athleticism I believe this will thrusts them deep into the NCAA Tournament, thusly making this the best team in Akron's history.

Lastly, I'm not sure of the campaign of Think Bigger featuring two players like this will be the factor that will take them to bigger heights...My take is it will take the team and sell the fact that a basketball team is a team not an individual sport. A chemically bonded team win championships and not just good players...If it would be me I would have posted the team or a least the proposed staring five or seniors.

[Dr Z]

I don't mean this as an insult, but the fans who watch practices always tend to act like they know more than anyone else. Does it really mean my input doesn't matter, because I haven't watched them practice?

Most the time the fan that is too close to any team doesn't have clear big picture of whats going on. It's happened to me before.

I'll have my prediction ready when I see them play CSU in December.

[GP1]

It's time for this team to take it to another level. Everything is there for the greatest season ever. They need to make it happen.

I predict 28 total wins.

The Zips go undefeated at home this year.

The Zips don't lose a game in December.

In order for my prediction to be correct (28 wins), the Zips need to win the MAC Tournament.

[Zipmeister]

I understand everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion but I choose to remain optimistic. I have watched mostly all practices and I have to say:

Lastly, I'm not sure of the campaign of Think Bigger featuring two players like this will be the factor that will take them to bigger heights...My take is it will take the team and sell the fact that a basketball team is a team not an individual sport. A chemically bonded team win championships and not just good players...If it would be me I would have posted the team or a least the proposed staring five or seniors.

A chemically bonded team may win championships, but later the authorities will take them away; just ask the US cycling team.

[ZippyRulz]

First, this team is more than a regular mid major team. This team has size and skill much like a major program. This team is very physically strong, fast, full of energy and very deep in every position. What impressed me was the intensity everyone has during practice sessions. This team unlike others can shoot the ball well almost form every position and defense that is very aggressive.

This is great news. I will look forward to the shots going down consistently from every position against good competition and on the road, with no prolonged scoring droughts.

[lumberjack]

A chemically bonded team may win championships, but later the authorities will take them away; just ask the US cycling team.

I take it this is humor?

[Class of 82]

I don't know what to predict, other than another highly entertaining season. There are just way too many variables in college basketball.

But this group has boatloads of potential, more than any Akron team I've seen in my lifetime. I hope they can reach it.

[skip-zip]

This is said before every year, and every year we end up with basically the same results as the year before or worse.

I don't mean this as an insult, but the fans who watch practices always tend to act like they know more than anyone else. Does it really mean my input doesn't matter, because I haven't watched them practice? I never watched the Zips football team practice, and I said they would be terrible. They are currently 1-7. Most teams look good in practice, because you have no real opponent to judge them against.

I've watched the Zips for all of the KD era, and I know what to expect when entering each season. Every year we get new players, every year we're supposed to be better. I've heard it all before!

This is certainly more reliable than most predictions we will see. And certainly more reliable than someone coming on here predictcing greatness every year, while we end up right where we've been before.

We certainly all hope for more, but history does indeed keep repeating itself, so I can see how expectations stagnate accordingly.

Maybe this year will finally be different.

[Hilltopper]

I take it this is humor?

Yeah. He's not good at smilies.

[mivid12]

Well if it were to happen (a ncaa tourney win/run) this year would be as good as any given the perceived talent and depth.

[Dave in Green]

Evaluations prior to the start of the season are based on potential, and after the season on results. While it helps to attend practices to see with your own eyes how the new players stack up against the veteran players who are known quantities and how the vets have improved, it's not required in order to formulate an educated opinion. There's plenty of data out there to be studied and evaluated. I know several members of this forum who haven't attended any practices, but who reguarly state thoughtful opinions here.

There's no doubt in my mind that this is the most talented group of Zips players I've ever seen, even with the unfortunate loss of Q. That means they have more potential than any other Zips team I've ever seen. Two of the most glaring weaknesses last season were the lack of a backup PG and center. Melo and Forsythe are both quality players who will keep the Zips humming along when Rico and Zeke are on the bench. Together with the returning veterans who now have at least a year of experience in the Zips system, this is a loaded team that has the potential to more than replace the Serb, Nitro and Q.

This is a team that should win some games they aren't expected to win, and will probably lose some games they are expected to win. At the end of the season, I will be disappointed if they don't deliver an even better final RPI rating than the #60 they ended last season with. I fully expect them to come into the MAC tournament with a bigger chip on their shoulder than OU, earn an NCAA tournament berth and win at least one game there. They have the potential to do all of this, and we'll see as the season progresses how well they deliver.

[skip-zip]

While it helps to attend practices to see with your own eyes how the new players stack up against the veteran players who are known quantities and how the vets have improved, it's not required in order to formulate an educated opinion.

Dave, That's the problem. Players practice at different levels on different days. Some don't practice at all. Others fight their tails off in practice. I've been there. That's why It's completely unreliable to judge new talent when playing against veteran talent. Or, veteran talent playing against each other. Only the coaches know if someone had just eaten a bad turkey sandwich, or just heard that their grandma was in the hospital. Just far too many variables here to be remotely reliable, unless you are completely on the inside of the situation. And even that can be shaky. Just go back to the time when we just HAD to burn McClanahans redshirt because he was playing so phenomenally for a good example.

[Dr Z]

This is a team that should win some games they aren't expected to win, and will probably lose some games they are expected to win.

Since I have seen this highly controversial statement posted more than once here this year, I'm going to keep track of all the games the Zips shouldn't win, and do. I'll count all games where they are more than 5 point underdogs and end up winning. Should be a fun year.

[GoZips]

I understand everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion but I choose to remain optimistic. I have watched mostly all practices and I have to say:

. . .

Lastly, I'm not sure of the campaign of Think Bigger featuring two players like this will be the factor that will take them to bigger heights...My take is it will take the team and sell the fact that a basketball team is a team not an individual sport. A chemically bonded team win championships and not just good players...If it would be me I would have posted the team or a least the proposed staring five or seniors.

This year's theme of "Think Bigger" does NOT revolve around two players. i.e. Zeke Marshall and Pat Forsythe.

Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell has grown to six-nine.

Nick Harney checks in at six-eight. Josh Egner is six-eight. Jake Kretzer is six-seven with Reggie McAdams a tad shorter.

Ade"deje" Ibitayo has grown to six-five.

Add in the four incoming players that range from six-six to six-nine and you have one very tall basketball team.

note to LJ ... You wrote an excellent, informative post. The real fans understand

the "chemistry" needed, which this group of players seems to possess.

[zippy5]

This year's theme of "Think Bigger" does NOT revolve around two players. i.e. Zeke Marshall and Pat Forsythe.

Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell has grown to six-nine.

Nick Harney checks in at six-eight. Josh Egner is six-eight. Jake Kretzer is six-seven with Reggie McAdams a tad shorter.

Ade"deje" Ibitayo has grown to six-five.

Add in the four incoming players that range from six-six to six-nine and you have one very tall basketball team.

note to LJ ... . You wrote an excellent, informative post. The real fans understand

the "chemistry" needed, which this group of players seems to possess.

Who disagreed with lumberjack's post? And I think the two players he was talking about were Zeke and Abreu. They're on the posters

[Quickzips]

Dave, That's the problem. Players practice at different levels on different days. Some don't practice at all. Others fight their tails off in practice. I've been there. That's why It's completely unreliable to judge new talent when playing against veteran talent. Or, veteran talent playing against each other. Only the coaches know if someone had just eaten a bad turkey sandwich, or just heard that their grandma was in the hospital. Just far too many variables here to be remotely reliable, unless you are completely on the inside of the situation. And even that can be shaky. Just go back to the time when we just HAD to burn McClanahans redshirt because he was playing so phenomenally for a good example.

This isn't an entirely accurate statement if I recall. At the time we burnt Nitro's redshirt we had gone into the season expecting to have a 4 guard rotation of Humpty Hitchens, Daryl Roberts, Steve McNees and Ronnie Steward. That was the year that Steward developed compartment syndrome very early on in the year and never returned. The Zips started to go through a dry spell part way through the conference season due in part to the fact that the remaining 3 guards were getting burnt out from playing 35+ minutes a night (check the stats, Humpty, McNees and Roberts all averaged 35+ for that season). The call was made to burn Nitro's redshirt because we needed some depth at guard to spell those guys. Part of the decision was based on the staff's evaluation in practice that he was performing well enough to handle it, but it was largely a move of necessity born out of injury.

As an aside, it worked out fairly well for the Zips that year as they ended up winning their first MAC Tourney title. McClanahan also made a pretty key 3 pointer late in regulation of the first round nail-biter against Toledo that year.